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Block printing is an Indian textile tradition that dates back more than four millennia. Using hand-carved wood blocks dipped in ink, artisans carefully imprint lengths of vibrant red cotton with scrolling golden patterns. The cloth is laid in the sun to dry before being cut and transformed into this lightly quilted jacket. Button-front. Side vents. Jacket reverses to solid red.

Should have double checked the sizing on this product. Thought it would fit, but need to return it for a larger size. Not much give in the material.

Should have double checked the sizing on this product. Thought it would fit, but need to return it for a larger size. Not much give in the material.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Ruined after one wash

I am gutted. I bought this jacket and wore it once. I got so many compliments. The colour and gold print amazing. I hand washed it in cold water with Woolite and the...Read complete review

I am gutted. I bought this jacket and wore it once. I got so many compliments. The colour and gold print amazing. I hand washed it in cold water with Woolite and the colour ran unevenly leaving dark patches of red and transfers of the gold pattern in odd places. It is now unwearable.

The care instructions should be changed to 'Dry clean only' and not hand wash.

I am gutted. I bought this jacket and wore it once. I got so many compliments. The colour and gold print amazing. I hand washed it in cold water with Woolite and the colour ran unevenly leaving dark patches of red and transfers of the gold pattern in odd places. It is now unwearable.

The care instructions should be changed to 'Dry clean only' and not hand wash.

Was this a gift?:

No

Bottom LineYes, I would recommend this to a friend

From National Geographic:Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about this jacket. We regret that it did not meet your expectations. Our merchandise buyer wash-tested this jacket a couple of times in her washing machine with regular detergent, and there was no color running. However, because of your experience, we are changing the washing instructions to "dry-clean only" in the product description. We want you to be happy with your purchase. Our customer service representatives are always happy to help at NGCatalog@ngs.org.

I haven't had occasion to wear this yet, as it's light-weight, not something for winter even as a jacket. It is quite pretty, with the gold print on red. Don't expect a true red, though, as it leans toward orange-red. The cut is boxy, more so than the picture in the catalog. This is typical of quilted jackets, but this one is very stiff. It's dry-clean only because the gold color is "painted on," so you can't wash it to soften it. That may or may not feel like an issue to someone else. I have short arms, so had to turn up the cuffs. They are quilted the opposite way, so that works just fine. It's very pretty, and I know I'll get compliments on this when it warms up enough to wear it.

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tiffin

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Few textile manufacturers still take the time to process natural indigo or block-print fabrics, but both practices continue to flourish in Rajasthan, India, where this handcrafted bedding is made using techniques that have been perfected over centuries. Bundles of the indigo plant are soaked to extract the vibrant dye, while long sheets of cotton are laid out awaiting the color. With hand-carved wooden blocks, a wax resist is applied to the fabric. When dyed, the wax areas remain white while the rest takes on the evocative hues of midnight, lapis lazuli, and cerulean that all begin with the tropical indigo plant.

Few textile manufacturers still take the time to process natural indigo or block-print fabrics, but both practices continue to flourish in Rajasthan, India, where this handcrafted bedding is made using techniques that have been perfected over centuries. Bundles of the indigo plant are soaked to extract the vibrant dye, while long sheets of cotton are laid out awaiting the color. With hand-carved wooden blocks, a wax resist is applied to the fabric. When dyed, the wax areas remain white while the rest takes on the evocative hues of midnight, lapis lazuli, and cerulean that all begin with the tropical indigo plant. 100% cotton.

Few textile manufacturers still take the time to process natural indigo or block-print fabrics, but both practices continue to flourish in Rajasthan, India, where this handcrafted bedding is made using techniques that have been perfected over centuries. Bundles of the indigo plant are soaked to extract the vibrant dye, while long sheets of cotton are laid out awaiting the color. With hand-carved wooden blocks, a wax resist is applied to the fabric. When dyed, the wax areas remain white while the rest takes on the evocative hues of midnight, lapis lazuli, and cerulean that all begin with the tropical indigo plant. 100% cotton.

The Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad houses India’s most significant collection of handcrafted textiles from the past five centuries. The block-printed pattern of this silk-blend jacket is inspired by 19th-century printed fabrics in the Calico’s collection. The lightly quilted style is fully reversible, with patch pockets on both sides. Reverses to purple with a tiny navy blue, allover floral pattern.

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